Last words from cockpit get second look

posted by Rob Quinn, Newser Staff
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2 years ago

(NEWSER) – The last words from the cockpit of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370—"All right, good night"—were spoken after one of the plane's communications systems had already been deliberately switched off, investigators yesterday revealed. The AP reports that Malaysia Airlines' CEO today said it's thought the co-pilot uttered the words, which experts say went against standard radio procedures and will likely be examined for signs of psychological stress, reports Reuters. Police have searched the homes of the pilot and co-pilot and removed items, including a flight simulator, from the pilot's home. More:

But investigators are looking beyond the cockpit as well, notes Reuters, and are in the process of carrying out background checks on the plane's 227 passengers. One name being specifically mentioned: that of a 29-year-old Malaysian aviation engineer. Experts say Mohd Khairul Amri Selamat would have had the knowledge needed to fly the plane, and a police official confirms "we are looking into Mohd Khairul as well as the other passengers and crew."

Some 26 countries have now been asked to evaluate radar and satellite data in the search for the missing plane, which is now believed to have flown on either a northern or southern arc from its last known location, the BBC reports.